2010 Maintenance Fee Thread

[tlpnet]

[I want to start a comprehensive list of all resorts at the top of this thread and the only way to keep it at the top is to put it in your post - hope you don't mind! Thanks for starting the thread! DeniseM ]

2010 Maintenance fees without ARDA or SVN fee

Harborside Atlantis (Phase 1 - Sm. 1 bdm.) - $1441.14
Harborside Atlantis (Phase 1 - 2 bdm. L/O) - $2979.24

Lakeside Terrace (Silver 2 bdm.) - $526.73
Lakeside Terrace (Plat 2 bdm.) - $894.61

Sheraton Broadway Plantation (1 bdm. Dlx) - $391.15
Sheraton Broadway Plantation (1 bdm.) - $500.48
Sheraton Broadway Plantation (Premium 1 bdm.) - $712.03
Sheraton Broadway Plantation (2 bdm.) - $881.62
Sheraton Broadway Plantation, Palmetto (2 bdm. L/O) - $967.40
Sheraton Broadway Plantation, Palmetto (Dedicated 2 bdm. EOY) - $354.23
Sheraton Broadway Plantation (2 bdm. L/O) - $1103.18


Sheraton Desert Oasis (EOY Lg. 1 bdm) - $325.62
Sheraton Desert Oasis (Sm. 1 bdm.) - $518.63
Sheraton Desert Oasis (Lg. 1 bdm.) - $ 611.25
Sheraton Desert Oasis (2 bdm.) - $889.08

Sheraton Steamboat Springs (EOY 2 bdm.) - $714.93

Sheraton Mountain Vista (Small 1 bdm.) - $651.11
Sheraton Mountain Vista (Large 1 bdm.) - $810.01
Sheraton Mountain Vista (2 bdm. lockoff) - $1,160.92

Sheraton Vistana Resort - Cascades (Sm. 1 bdm) - $674.17
Sheraton Vistana Resort - Cascades (2 bdm) - $835.06
Sheraton Vistana Resort - Cascades (2 bdm. L/O) - $1065.11
Sheraton Vistana Resort - Falls (2 bdm.) - $714.50
Sheraton Vistana Resort - Fountains I (2 bdm.) - $801.69
Sheraton Vistana Resort - Fountains II (2 bdm.) - $942.52
Sheraton Vistant Resort - Lakes (2 bdm.) - $923.27
Sheraton Vistana Resort - Springs (2 bdm.) - $795.19

Sheraton Vistana Villages - Bella (1 bdm.) - $596.91
Sheraton Vistana Villages - Bella (2 bdm.) -1,194.19
Sheraton Vistana Villages - Bella (2 bdm. L/O) - $1,534
Sheraton Vistana Villages - Key West (1 bdm.) - $563.37
Sheraton Vistana Villages - Key West (2 bdm.) - $1,062.73

Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas (2 bdm.) - $ 2,346.36
Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas (2 bdm. Dlx) - $3,076.69

Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas North (2 bdm.) - $2479.60

Westin Kierland Villas (EOY 1 bdm.) - $398.88
Westin Kierland Villa (Small 1 bdm.) - $479.54
Westin Kierland Villa (Lg. 1 bdm.) - $757.76
Westin Kierland Villas (2 bm. L/O) - $1,237.30

Westin Lagunamar
1BR Studio - $448.84 ($385.40 assessment + $63.44 replacement reserve)
1BR Premium - $758.60 ($651.38 + $107.22)
2BR Lockoff - $1207.44 ($1036.78 + $170.66)

Westin Mission Hills
2BR LO EY - $1,484.76

Westin Princeville
2 BR LO EY - $ 2,373.90 (including SVN fee)

Westin St. John - these figures include the SA of Approx. $625, but do not include taxes
3BR Pool Villa EY - $3,439.31
3BR Pool Villa EOY - $1,719.66
Terrace Suite - $1,719.53
Townhouse Suite - $2,992.79
2BR Townhouse - $2,866.05
2BR Premium - $3,439.07
3BR Premium - $3.439.31​

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vistana Resort - Springs

Operating Assessment - $616.81
Replacement Reserve - $95.48
Estimated Real Estate Tax - $82.90
SVN Fee - $0.00 *
ARDA Contribution - $0.00 **

TOTAL - $795.19

Increase over 2009 - $98.77 / 14.2%

* No charge - additional week
** Not paying

 

[DeniseM]

Did you get your bill already, or is this from mystarcentral.com?

 

[tlpnet]

Did you get your bill already, or is this from mystarcentral.com?

Got the bills. With the bills, there is a shiny newsletter that discusses the MF delinquencies and the cost-savings initiatives. And...

"To help improve the Association's cash flow, we are offering a special incentive to Owners. When you play your maintenance fee early, you will receive valuable money-saving certificates for use at Starwood hotels and resorts and be automatically entered for a chance to win great prizes, like up to 1,000,000 Starpoints from the Starwood Preferred Guest program. This is our way of thanking you for paying early."

"Pay your maintenance fee and taxes in full, as early as October 15, 2009, and receive two valuable certificates: 50% off your special Owner rate at Starwood Vacation Ownership resorts; and 50% off retail rates at participating Starwood hotels and resorts."

And the kicker... Due date: January 4, 2010. This when SVR maintenance fees used to be due throughout the year based on your ownership week. Last year my Wk 41 was due in July.

-tim

 

[DeniseM]

50% off your special Owner rate at Starwood Vacation Ownership resorts

We know the hotel coupon is worthless, but I wonder what the "real" value of the other coupon is?

 

[Iwant2gonow]

I just recieved my bill today (the early payment coupon expired already...such a deal!:hysterical: ...so Starwood)

Vistana Resort - Lakes

Operating Assessment - $656.38
Replacement Reserve - $125.43
Estimated Real Estate Tax - $141.56
SVN Fee - $0.00 *
ARDA Contribution - $0.00 **

TOTAL - $923.27

Increase over 2009 - $123.00 / 15.4%
I'm not happy ...but if it stays this way for 3 to 5 years that would be nice...but doubtful.

 

[tlpnet]

It has no value to me as I don't need additional time at SVO resorts. I'm thinking of the additional chunk of money I have to drop by January 4th especially if the 14% increase is indicative of the resorts across the board. My head is starting to hurt.

 

[tomandrobin]

Wow....MFs bills already!

14.2% increase in a deep recession.....ugh.

 

[LisaRex]

Wow....MFs bills already!
14.2% increase in a deep recession.....ugh.

The higher the MFs go, the easier it is to just walk away.

 

[jimpia]

Just received the MF bill for WSJ. For a 3 bedroom pool villa the fee is up to $3439.31 which is a $480.29 (13%) increase from last year - and that doesn't include $109 yearly membership fee.
The villa better be in pristine condition when we get there this Dec. - with the way the fees keep going up it may not be worth it anymore!

 

[malyons]

$3400 I hope that place is every bit as nice as i've read and then some. Anyone out there w/ a Fountains unit received their bill? I already got slapped with a 12% increase on my DRI timeshare, hoping the damage isn't too bad on vistana, but haven't received my bill yet

 

[nodge]

Wow....MFs bills already!

14.2% increase in a deep recession.....ugh.

Interesting . . . if you take the maintenance fees of an SVO resort with a high maintenance fee (like say WKORV at $2300ish) and an SVO resort with low maintenance fee (like say WKV at $1200ish) and average them, you get an average maint fee of $1750/villa. If you then apply this 14.2% increase to that average maint fee, you get an average increase of $248.50/villa.

Here is one theory to explain why this 14.2% increase number ($250ish/villa increase) was selected by our friends at SVO. Does anybody have any better data or theories?

-nodge

 

[DavidnRobin]

Just received the MF bill for WSJ. For a 3 bedroom pool villa the fee is up to $3439.31 which is a $480.29 (13%) increase from last year - and that doesn't include $109 yearly membership fee.
The villa better be in pristine condition when we get there this Dec. - with the way the fees keep going up it may not be worth it anymore!

I received the WSJ letter yesterday - and haven't had a chance to look closely, but...

it my calculations are correct - the increase in WSJ (Hillside) base MFs is 25%
{w/o the special assessment} - if this is correct - someone on the WSJ HOA better have a good explanation.

 

[DanCali]

The US Economy in 2009

Below is a table showing how average prices of consumer goods and services changed over the past 12 months in the US.

I do not want to make any accusations towards Starwood, but personally I don't see anything (not even energy costs, discussed in another thread) that justifies an average increase in MFs next year, let alone these crazy hikes.

Given that Starwood US resorts are in AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, and SC that's somewhat representative of the US economy. Maybe some of the resorts should have small increases, some small decreses (maybe in our dreams) and overall average increase across these resorts should tiny to none.

Judge for yourself if you are getting ripped off by your HOA and/or Starwood.

------------------------------------------------------------------

CPI % Change for 12-mos. Ended Sep 2009

All items -1.3%

Food -0.2%
​

Food at home -2.5%​

Food away from home 2.6%​

Energy -21.6%​

Energy commodities -30.1%​

Gasoline (all types) -29.7%​

Fuel oil -36.0%​

Energy services -8.0%​

Electricity -0.1%​

Utility (piped) gas service -28.0%​

All items less food and energy 1.5%

Commodities less food and energy 1.6%​

New vehicles 1.6%​

Used cars and trucks -2.7%​

Apparel 1.1%​

Medical care commodities 4.1%​

Services less energy services 1.5%​

Shelter 0.7%
​

Transportation services 2.0%​

Medical care services 3.3%​

source (P. 1 - Table A)

 

[Loriannf]

Still waiting SVO response

After seeing the WSJ letter yesterday, I called to inquire why the fees were so high. I was told it was due to "deliquencies" and costs associated with them. I had some other questions, like how to contact someone on the board and whether or not the refurbishment came in under budget, and was told someone would get back to me.

Not holding my breath

Lori

 

[nodge]

I just recieved my bill today (the early payment coupon expired already...such a deal!:hysterical: ...so Starwood)

Vistana Resort - Lakes

Operating Assessment - $656.38
Replacement Reserve - $125.43
Estimated Real Estate Tax - $141.56
SVN Fee - $0.00 *
ARDA Contribution - $0.00 **

TOTAL - $923.27

Increase over 2009 - $123.00 / 15.4%
I'm not happy

Well at least that $923.27/week fee is still a way better deal than what a non-owner could rent a week at VR for. Oh wait. Nevermind.

Please make sure to let SVO know what you think of this news here.

-nodge

 

[DavidnRobin]

After seeing the WSJ letter yesterday, I called to inquire why the fees were so high. I was told it was due to "deliquencies" and costs associated with them. I had some other questions, like how to contact someone on the board and whether or not the refurbishment came in under budget, and was told someone would get back to me.

Not holding my breath

Lori

Hi Lori - Could you send me a PM with the WSJ contact you have? I plan to start an inquiry myself. - David

 

[DeniseM]

I sent a message to the WKORV BOD through the message function on mystarcentral.com and asked for:

1) The names of the BOD

2) Their Bio's

3) Their Contact info.

I received a message within 24 hours stating that the info. would be mailed to me. I will share the info. when I receive it.

I want to contact them and find out if the Starwood HOA's are doing anything to contest the increase in taxes on Maui, like Marriott is.

I also want to know who exactly is on the board.

I was thinking this would be good info. for us to have in Owner Resources for all the resorts. If owners at the various resorts want to contact their HOA's for that info. and provide it, I'd be glad to add it to the OR Sticky for future reference.

 

[Troopers]

I too have contacted the WKORV BOD (not individually) requesting an update on the property tax increase. I will share info IF they respond.

Btw, where/how did you find out that Marriott is appealing it?

Added: A Maui developer contact that I have is inquiring about the tax issue for me as well. I will share this as well.

 

[milo]

2010 Financial Newsletter

Here is what the fancy insert that came with my Springs invoice had to say about uncollectible accounts: "Due to recent economic conditions, there have been increased levels of owner delinquency resulting in a maintenance fee collection shortfall that has negatively impacted the Association's operating cash flow. To help offset this impact, additional provisions for uncollectible accounts --yada yada -- As a result there is an average increase of $88.42 per ownership week -- yada yada -- Owners must all share in ensuring expenses are fully paid and uncollectible accounts provisioned." My question for Starwood is if we as owners have to cover the shortfall from the delinquent owners, then shouldn't we get the use/benefit of the abandoned weeks?

 

[WINSLOW]

$3400 Anyone out there w/ a Fountains unit received their bill?

Received our bill for Fountains II 2 Bedroom $1,051.52 inclosed leaflet says 9.5% increase over 2009

2010 Operating $705.49
Replacement reserve $106.82
Est RE Taxes $ 130.21
SVN fee $109.00

 

[WINSLOW]

Here is what the fancy insert that came with my Springs invoice had to say about uncollectible accounts: "Due to recent economic conditions, there have been increased levels of owner delinquency resulting in a maintenance fee collection shortfall that has negatively impacted the Association's operating cash flow. To help offset this impact, additional provisions for uncollectible accounts --yada yada -- As a result there is an average increase of $88.42 per ownership week -- yada yada -- Owners must all share in ensuring expenses are fully paid and uncollectible accounts provisioned." My question for Starwood is if we as owners have to cover the shortfall from the delinquent owners, then shouldn't we get the use/benefit of the abandoned weeks?

We received the same thing for Fountains II but for $37.31 per owner for 2010 PLUS a prior year deficit saying an increase of $131.82 per owner primarily due to unanticipated delinquencies for 2009...so $169.13 for 2010....What does happen with those weeks?

 

[tlpnet]

Denise,

I like that you're putting all of the resorts at the top like you did, but IMHO WSJ should not be listed there yet. Those numbers came from the PROPOSED budget which was included with the notice of the Board meeting. Not to say that they won't be rubber stamped, but until billed, don't think you should list them. I have those budgets on several other resorts if you decide that MF's should be posted from proposed budgets.

-tim

 

[DeniseM]

Thank you for pointing that out - I will change it to "proposed" and change it when we have the final numbers. Unless WSJ owners would rather I didn't?

 

[nodge]

Sheraton Desert Oasis 2BR L/O Annual 2010 MF $889.08 (without ADRA or SVN fees)

Mystarcentral.com posted the 2010 Sheraton Desert Oasis Maintenance fees today. They are due on January 4, 2010.

Here they are for a SDO annual 2 Bedroom Lock-Off:

Maintenance Fee(s): $889.08
Tax - If Applicable: $0.00
Membership Fee - If Applicable: $0.00
Other: $0.00
Interest: $0.00
Late Fees: $0.00
ARDA ROC PAC Contrib $0.00

Total: $889.08

Increase from 2008: $61.48 (Increase of 7.43%)

Very strange that I'm relieved to learn that SDO's increase is "only" 7.43% this year.

Do you think we'll get the letter offering us those worthless coupons if we pay early?

-nodge

I also find it strange that MSC is "Johnny on the Spot" with respect to posting the latest maintenance fees and offering real-time online payment, yet is still proudly touting the third Maui property despite the fact SVO actually cancelled/placed on indefinite hold that project over a year ago.

 

[malyons]

Fountains I info posted on mystarcentral today too (thx for pointing out Nodge):

Maintenance: $693.95
Tax: $107.74
Membership Fee: $109
ARDA: No Thanks

Total: $910.69

PY was $847 for an 8.1% increase